Chapter 1209: Life Before Death Was Also Human

Many mine shafts seep water, and some even connect to groundwater.

“It’s very dry,” Jiang Lishui said. “It hasn’t rained since we took over the mining area.”

“This is a large rocky mountain with very little soil or water. And since it hasn’t rained recently, ghosts probably don’t like staying on the mountain or deep in the mines. That’s why your men couldn’t find the lesser ghost when you sent them down later,” Fu Liushan mused. “So it must be near the water or the village.”

Both places are damp and have a human scent, much more appealing than the cold, hard stone mountain.

As they walked, Fu Liushan asked the two, “Do you know who it was in its past life?”

“We only heard it was a fierce general named Wang Xuanlu, who was defeated in battle and died in Shrieking Forest, later transforming into a malevolent spirit.”

“There are too many exaggerated folk legends about the past of Ghost King Xuanlu; the truth has been distorted. Fortunately, you’ve met me.” Fu Liushan rolled up his sleeves as he spoke. Dong Rui had already noticed that he often made this gesture before launching into a boastful speech. “My family has collected information about ghost kings throughout history, separating fact from fiction. You can trust what I tell you.”

“His original name was Wang Xuanlu, and he hailed from the Rolling Stone Valley area three hundred years ago. Due to his exceptional cultivation and bravery in battle, he caught the eye of a local leader, who promoted him through the ranks and even married his daughter to him. Wang Xuanlu lived up to expectations, overcoming obstacles and achieving great military feats. However, on one occasion, his father-in-law was engaged in a conflict with a powerful enemy. Wang Xuanlu found himself besieged in a city until his supplies and arrows were exhausted, ultimately surrendering. Later, the enemy sent him back to persuade his father-in-law to surrender, but his father-in-law refused and died suddenly five days later. Wang Xuanlu then absorbed his father-in-law’s troops and defected to the enemy. The following year, under the guise of revenge, he killed this new superior.”

Dong Rui listened, then let out a long “Oh.” “What a talent,” he remarked.

Revenge for his father-in-law? That was all fake. “It was merely an excuse for a second betrayal.”

“After completing his second annexation, Wang Xuanlu finally became a regional lord. His influence grew, and he began to expand outwards. However, his first target was poorly chosen; they were too strong. Wang Xuanlu and his allies fought fiercely for two days but couldn’t win, so he had to retreat,” Fu Liushan chuckled. “Here’s the interesting part: he actually abandoned his allies and fled without warning during the retreat, leaving them to cover his rear. As a result, his allies were caught off guard, surrounded, and died from severe injuries.”

“Isn’t that just ‘I’ll go first, you cover the rear’?” The Ghost Ape, sitting on the wall, spat out a fruit peel in disdain.

When it fought, it always covered others’ rear.

“After that battle, Wang Xuanlu’s reputation suffered somewhat. However, he was indeed brave in combat, commanded well-trained troops, and had ample provisions. He was a formidable figure whom everyone wanted to win over, or at least avoid offending. So Wang Xuanlu did enjoy several more years of smooth sailing. Yet, whenever he allied with others, he would always contribute minimally, suffer the fewest losses, be the first to flee, yet demand the most benefits. Over time, fewer people were willing to deal with him.”

“A few years later, Bao Ning rose to power, sweeping across the central and western parts of the Glimmergold Plains. Wang Xuanlu sought external help, but no one responded. Unable to defeat Bao Ning, he had no choice but to resort to his old trick—”

Ling Guang interjected, “Surrendering?”

“Precisely.”

“Bao Ning?” Dong Rui blinked. Why did that name sound familiar?

“He was the owner of the Rakshasa Armor over three hundred years ago.”

“Oh!” Dong Rui finally recalled. That rainy night, Fu Liushan had recounted many stories about the Rakshasa Armor in a tavern in Wuxian Town. The Rakshasa Armor had many owners, and naturally many legends, one of which was about Bao Ning. “He was a formidable figure, who almost unified the central and western Glimmergold Plains. It’s no surprise that Wang Xuanlu was defeated by him.”

Fu Liushan continued, “After Wang Xuanlu surrendered, Bao Ning didn’t make things difficult for him, assigning him to guard Bailan Pass. However, Bao Ning’s methods were ruthless, and the following year, problems arose in his territory. Rebellions and mutinies broke out one after another, creating a turbulent situation. Wang Xuanlu saw an opportunity not to be missed and, ahem, led his followers in rebellion once again.”

Born with a rebellious spirit? Dong Rui chuckled, “Figures. That’s very Wang Xuanlu.”

He Lingchuan, however, noted the phrase “ruthless methods” that Fu Liushan used. Come to think of it, previous owners of the Rakshasa Armor seemed to exhibit similar traits:

Cruelty.

“Who knew that after clearing out his northern enemies, Bao Ning would march south to quell the rebellions? He swept through them like autumn wind through fallen leaves; few could withstand even a single encounter. Wang Xuanlu failed to defeat him again and tried to surrender using his old trick, but Bao Ning refused. He offered a thousand gold for Wang Xuanlu’s head.”

“Wang Xuanlu fled into Shrieking Forest, only to be beheaded by his own subordinates, who seized the opportunity to present his head to Bao Ning.”

“It’s likely that his immense resentment before death, combined with the malevolent aura in Shrieking Forest, contributed to the birth of the Xuanlu Malevolent Spirit. In fact, I think ‘Yin General’ might be a more fitting title for it.” The appearance of such malevolent spirits often involves numerous coincidences.

Jiang Lishui looked indignant. “Heaven truly has no eyes! Such a person was a scourge in life and can become a malevolent spirit after death, continuing to cause chaos among mortals. Yet, many heroes lie buried in obscurity—why don’t they receive such treatment?”

Why don’t heroes get the chance to return to the human world and eliminate evil once more?

The speaker’s words were unintentional, but He Lingchuan felt a stir in his heart:

Indeed, that makes sense.

“Wang Xuanlu was killed by the owner of the Rakshasa Armor during his lifetime; that was the first time,” Fu Liushan said, touching his nose. “About 150 years ago, the Rakshasa Armor defeated it again. At that time, it was worn by the tribal chief of the Ying people, who was Fu Tianlin’s father.”

He Lingchuan and Dong Rui exchanged glances, understanding.

This malevolent spirit truly had bad luck, or rather, its connection with the Rakshasa Armor was a karmic curse.

“Two encounters with the Rakshasa Armor, two defeats. It’s no wonder the Xuanlu Malevolent Spirit harbored resentment.”

Dong Rui murmured, “I almost feel sorry for this malevolent spirit.”

It’s probably about to face its third defeat.

Fu Liushan looked at He Lingchuan, barely concealing his schadenfreude. It was unclear whom he wished misfortune upon—He Lingchuan, or Ghost King Xuanlu? “Xuanlu is extremely vengeful; you’d best be prepared.”

He Lingchuan nodded. “What’s unusual about Shrieking Forest, where a ghost king can be born?”

Fu Liushan sobered. “That forest is dense, perpetually sunless, and filled with a gloomy earth aura. It’s said to be rampant with malevolent energies, making it ideal for ghosts to reside.”

He Lingchuan murmured, “So it has malevolent energy.”

“Indeed?” Fu Liushan shook his head. “Even cultivators are unwilling to go there.”

What living creature isn’t afraid of malevolent energy?

Dong Rui immediately glanced at He Lingchuan, who rubbed his nose.

Fu Liushan continued, “Heavenly Venerate Xuanlu’s cultivation is extraordinarily profound. My father mentioned that it can separate into many avatars, which can act independently of its main body. Twenty years ago, Xuanlu sent lesser ghosts to Jishi Village to steal living souls because it was injured or was regenerating avatars, and desperately needed replenishment.”

Dong Rui made a sound of surprise. “Timewise, that really seems to fit.”

The incidents of miners being killed in Rolling Stone Valley and Jishi Village seemed to have started not long after they killed Nangong Yan and the malevolent spirit’s avatar.